Auditions for ‘Private Lives’ and ‘Jon and Jen’
Private Lives is a 1930 comedy of manners in three acts by Noël Coward. It concerns a divorced couple who, while honeymooning with their new spouses, discover that they are staying in adjacent rooms at the same hotel. Despite a perpetually stormy relationship, they realise that they still have feelings for each other. Its second act love scene was nearly censored in Britain as too risqué. Coward wrote one of his most popular songs, “Some Day I’ll Find You”, for the play.
John & Jen (styled as john & jen) is a musical with music by Andrew Lippa, lyrics by Tom Greenwald, and a book by Lippa and Greenwald. It is a two-person show about the relationships first between a brother and sister, John and Jen, and then, after John is killed, between Jen and her son, also named John. The musical opened Off-Broadway in 1995 and was revived Off-Broadway in 2015.
The Inspired Acting Co.
: Private Lives and Jon and Jen
professional
Saturday Jan. 21, 12PM to 4PM
1124 East W. Maple, Walled Lake, MI
Yes
To schedule an appointment:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0949AFA72EA0FDC25-auditions
PRIVATE LIVES:Elyot Chase (he/him)- mid-40s to mid-fifties, Rich, cheeky, hedonistic, and a touch amoral. He is on his honeymoon with Sibyl at the start of the play. Full of cutting wit; formerly married to Amanda. Refusing ever to be serious, his philosophy, if any, is his belief that in the long run everything is “nonsense”, nothing lasts and the intelligent response is to live for the moment. However, Elyot has his insecurities, and is not unaffected by social expectations.
Sibyl Chase: (she/her) Early to mid 20s, Sometimes childish, at other times sprightly. Somewhat shallow and superficial, she is not given to particularly deep thought. She is several years younger than her husband, Elyot, deferring to him and denying any intention to “manage” or run his life (although that is up for debate).
Amanda Prynne: (she/her) 40s-50s.A beautiful second-time bride (she was formerly married to Elyot, and is now married to Victor). with a fiery temper, quick wit and a tendency toward impulsive behavior. Strong, intelligent, and well-spoken. She has a tough exterior but that’s only to protect a vulnerable inner-self that Elyot can crack easily.
Victor Prynne: (he/him) 30s-60s. Amanda’s second husband, formal and dignified, though somewhat dull. Steadfastly conventional and self-consciously masculine, he is the conservative counterpart to Elyot’s rebellious flippancy. He is very pleased to describe himself as “normal.
Louise: Any Age, The French maid at Amanda’s Paris flat, she speaks only French. Exasperated at the English nitwits making a mess of her work.
JOHN & JEN: Jen: (she/her) Protective and controlling, yet deeply loving. This character arcs from a wide-eyed new sister to a free-loving hippie and finally a mother accepting her son growing up. To play ages 6 through 44.
Vocal range: F3 to F5
John: (he/him) Fun, energetic, fresh, and exciting. The character arcs from a newborn brother to a high school graduate going off to war and then, a young son challenging his loving mother as he grows. He will play two different Johns, Jen’s brother and son, ages 0-19. Vocal range: Ab2 to C5
If you are only auditioning for “Private Lives,” please prepare two contrasting monologues no longer than three minutes total (one with a British dialect is preferred). If you are auditioning for both shows or just “john & jen,” please present one contemporary monologue and 32 bars of a musical theatre song in a style appropriate for “jon & jen.” No accompanist will be provided. Please bring your own accompaniment recording on a flash drive or bluetooth capable device.
Up to two Equity Special Appearance contracts may be available for each show.
Stipend for non-Equity actors is $150 per performance week of three shows and $50 for each rehearsal week
PRIVATE LIVES: March 28 through April 29, 2023; JON & JEN: June 13 through July 6,2023
PRIVATE LIVES: April 21 through May 7, 2023; JON & JEN: July 7 though July 23, 2023.
Auditions and performances will be held at The Inspired Acting Company building, 1124 E West Maple Rd, Walled Lake, MI. For those who cannot attend the in-person audition, video submissions will be accepted. Submit videos through an unlisted YouTube, Vimeo, Dropbox, or Google Drive link to inspiredactingcompany@gmail.com by January 20th. Please slate your name, if you’re local to the area, if you are a member of Actors’ Equity, and then perform your audition.